The
No Guitars EP suggested that
Helium was expanding their sound past the wonderful, angular indie rock of
The Dirt of Luck, and
The Magic City confirms that suspicions. A rich, colorful array of sounds,
The Magic City blends lo-fi indie-rock with '70s prog rock.
Mary Timony is a sharp songwriter, and she balances her instrumental excesses with remarkable introspective lyrics. Surprisingly, the sitars, keyboards, and harpsichords are not indulgences -- they're integral to the sound of the record, making
The Magic City sound alternately fantastical and frightening. It's an impressive leap forward, confirming
Helium's status as one of the '90s' best indie-rock bands.